Rowe, who was living in Brighton, has been accused of deliberately infecting male lovers with the HIV virus by sabotaging condoms

The 26-year-old accused in February this year and was released on bail by Sussex Police until April before being re-bailed twice until May and then again until last Friday.

But Rowe – who had been staying in Brighton – failed to appear in court last week and has now vanished.

Cops have now launched a desperate hunt for Rowe and believe he may have returned to Edinburgh.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Officers are looking for a 26-year-old man who was arrested in Brighton on suspicion of deliberately infecting men with HIV in February this year, after he failed to answer bail on Friday.

“A warrant is not necessary for him to be arrested when found. We are actively working with other police forces to locate him and are pursuing all lines of enquiry.

“The man has bail conditions not to come to Brighton and we do not believe he is in Sussex.

“Anyone who is concerned by the allegations can seek health advice and speak to us.”

At the time of his arrest, two potential victims had spoken to officers.